A few years ago, it had a really bad reputation.

However, in recent times, it seems to have got its act together considerably. I know of some teachers who have recently gone there and they seem happy. It is a little out of town - which for some may be an advantage, as life is a little less hectic.

I do not know too much about the package - however, I think for HCMC, it is pretty competitive.

Hey! Shouldn't you be camped out in Zuccotti Park? (just kidding!)

I am not so sure about power and elites.

It just makes sense that if you are an administrator and you worked with a teacher in the past - and they did a good job - then it would be sensible to hire them again. They are a known quantity.

What's more, if you work with teachers you trust and they say, "he was fantastic with the students", or "she is one of the better teachers I worked with," then it would again be sensible to have a chat with them.

What I have found after 10 years overseas is that you keep meeting teachers and admin at schools that have worked with or for your current admin or colleagues. So it certainly is not wise to burn bridges in this game. However, if you are a team player who is well regarded at a school, then this can help in the future because there is a high possibility that the administrators you are applying to will know someone in your current school. This is especially the case if you manage to get into the more established (so called Tier 1) schools.

PS - I have never met a teacher (or heard of a situation) where an incumbent teacher was fired or moved on to make way for a 'friend' of an administrator. I'd be amazed if this happened at any reputable school (which, I guess, is the type of school we are all aiming to work in).

Agreed - don't give up on the Middle East. I have friends who worked in Dubai and loved it. You just need to be careful of the for profit 'international' schools that are 99% local students - they are the ones that get the dodgy reviews on ISR. I have not checked, but I doubt if the American School of Doha or Dubai has many negative reviews.

I would not feel too bad. It is still early in the recruiting season, especially if u are targeting Europe. Others may have a better idea, but I believe that most schools in Europe do not require (and often are not allowed by law) to ask teachers to re-sign (or resign!) until February-March. That's why Cambridge might be a good fair for you.

Most Asian schools send out contracts in mid-late November. So I would now be constantly looking at the websites of schools in that region that interest you - if a job comes up, remind them of your interest and express a willingness to talk by Skype prior to the fair. I did that and got a job before a fair (in Asia).

Good luck:)

I think having contacts can help you get an interview ... but I am not sure it helps you get a job if u do not deserve it.

For instance, if you apply for a job at Singapore American School, they actually have a section in their application form that asks you to list any current employees/admin at SAS that have worked with you. Hopefully, those SAS teachers will talk you up and help you get an interview. However, if you mess the interview up, I would doubt that their recommendations will get you the job.

If I was planning to work in the Middle East, I would check the nationality ratios at any school that offered me a contract. I have found that the schools in that region that tend to be not too "nice" tend to be those that are really national schools. On the other hand, the schools that are genuinely international with a mix of nationalities (such as ABA in Oman, or the American School of Dubai) tend to get good feedback on sites like this.

PS: still try for those schools in Europe. In this game, you never know how your application will be received.

I have friends who worked there just a few years ago. They stayed for many years and loved it.

Sure, you have to be sensible and mindful of your personal security. But they did not hesitate in recommending the school to me.

Do you think you were not invited because you applied relatively late?

Like many others, you appear a strong candidate. PYP with experience of the exhibition is something that will stand out to many PYP schools.

Have you considered the ISS Bangkok fair? That might be one option.

I also suggest you send applications directly to schools that interest you. Keep an eye on your websites.

That is how I got employed (and it is happening more and more now, with schools using Skype etc).

Are you still in Indonesia? I know it is a long shot, but you could tell schools that you have contacted that you will be in Bangkok the week of the fair and are happy to visit the hotel to chat with them.

I did that at the CIS London fair a few years back and got a job that way. I was in Europe at the time, so it was not a major financial cost.

Finally, I have worked in Indonesia and in China. China is in a lot of respects more liveable. You might want to consider Guangzhou or Shekou. Both int. schools use Skype to hire before the fairs.

All the best:)

I agree - those are the two prime not for profit schools in the city. If u are looking for a bilingual school, you might want to investigate the Yew Chung school. However, I can not vouch for its quality.

Having worked in the city, I would rate WAB, ISB and the Beijing City International School as the top 3 schools in the city.

Good luck with your move